Bryant announced plans to transfer on Sept. 26, two days after he was demoted to backup in favor of freshman Trevor Lawrence. Bryant, a former standout at Wren High, is the fourth quarterback to transfer from Clemson since January. None of the previous quarterbacks transferred within the conference.

Bryant has graduated from Clemson, and, under the recently updated NCAA redshirt regulations, because he played in merely four games, Bryant did not exhaust his final year of eligibility.

Upon the revelation of his transfer plans, Bryant was immediately expected to field overtures from Southeastern Conference schools like Auburn, Florida and Arkansas, programs that recruited him originally and have quarterback needs.

North Carolina was not on the speculation radar, especially considering coach Larry Fedora’s presumed lack of job security after a 1-3 start that included a loss to East Carolina. Yet, before the 2017 season, Fedora signed a seven-year contract extension worth $19 million.

Buy Photo

North Carolina head coach Larry Fedora is interviewed on radio row during the 2017 ACC Kickoff in Charlotte on Friday, July 14, 2017. (Photo: BART BOATWRIGHT/Staff)

If he remains the coach, Fedora can offer Bryant command of a fast-paced offense that will capitalize on his running ability but also allow him to pass downfield.